Israel and Peace Council Agree on Steps to Disarm Gaza Before Reconstruction

Following a lengthy and productive meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Peace Council, both parties agreed on a clear path forward regarding Gaza. The discussions, described as deep and constructive, focused on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip before any reconstruction efforts begin. A Peace Council official told Reuters that Israel is willing to give this approach a chance, emphasizing the importance of completing disarmament prior to rebuilding infrastructure.

The meeting also resulted in the decision to establish two working teams: one dedicated to the rapid disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, and another focused on public health issues such as sanitation and clean water supply, which affect both Gaza residents and Israelis. The Peace Council and Israel are determined to complete the disarmament process swiftly to enable subsequent reconstruction.

This agreement aligns with Netanyahu's recent insistence that Hamas must be disarmed before irreversible steps toward Gaza's rehabilitation are taken. The talks come amid renewed American efforts to advance the Gaza plan, with Jared Kushner meeting Netanyahu in Jerusalem after an unusual meeting with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt. The core issue remains the linkage between Hamas's disarmament and Israeli actions in Gaza.